Student Services

For information on Columbia College’s Testing and Assessment Services, please click here.

Initially, you may receive basic program information from a Prospect Advisor whose job is to provide new clients with this information. This advisor will book you an entry assessment. Once the assessment results are back you will receive a call from a program Admission Advisor who will guide you throughout the remainder of the entry process. This advisor will also be your Financial Advisor (Paying for your Education) and help you to apply for financial assistance through provincial and federal government student loans and grants. Bursary and scholarship information is also made available to you. These advising services assist you in decision-making by providing timely and accurate information, as well as, help you to understand College policies which directly affect your academic success. In most cases you will only see one Admission Advisor who personally looks after your program and financial needs. This simplifies the process of getting into and completing college.

Learning Services Office: This Office manages the various learning needs of students from scheduling assessments. If you have a question regarding your learning needs, please ask for this professional in 802-122.

Achieving Success Workshops: Students can take part in information sessions on such topics as study skills, test taking, managing exam stress, time management, and on writing term papers. Check the dates and times of these workshops on the Student Services Board located in Bldg. 802 by the Administration Office. This information is periodically updated.

College Skills for Success Course: All students entering professional programs are required to take this credit course prior to starting their professional program. The College Skills for Success course prepares students for learning in an accelerated environment. Your college education is a considerable investment of money and changes to your life style. You will be balancing many things – school, home, assignments, practicum, work, etc. Prepare yourself by going to this course with the intention of getting everything you can from it. Your motivation is a critical piece of being successful.

During this course, students will determine their learning style and learn what study strategies would be most effective for them to use. Don’t assume that you already know how to study. You will be coping with increased workloads and high academic expectations. You are learning not only to achieve good grades, but learning important information, developing higher order critical thinking skills and learning how to be self-regulated in order to reach your dream job and to keep it once you have it. Some of the topics included are memorization strategies, tips on managing stress, test taking, note taking and time management (procrastination issues). There are daily quizzes and a final exam that simulate the types of tests and final exam you will experience in your program. Learn how to become a Master Student! Remember – You are taking an accelerated program and this requires using different study techniques and planning for success than if you were in a traditional institution.

Students will also begin their first introduction to creating a resume for their practicum placements. Follow up to this beginning session will occur after the orientation session. It is compulsory that all students complete a current, well formatted resume prior to practicum search.

You will need to pick up the following textbook. The cost is included in your tuition fee. You must have paid your registration fee to receive the textbook.
Keys to Success: Building Analystical, Creative, and Practical Skills (Sixth Canadian Edition). Toronto: Pearson Education Inc.
Carter, A., Bishop, J., Lyman Kravits, S., & Maurin, P. ; ISBN: 978-0-13-290548-0.

Tutoring: If Pre-career students need extra assistance, they may attend also drop-in tutoring. Hours of drop-in tutoring are listed on the Student Services Bulletin Board in Bldg. 802. Students may also contact the tutor, Jocelyne, at 403-235-9300 ext 342 or see her at her office in building 802 – 131.

Professional Program students: Tutoring is also available for students in professional programs on as needed basis. If you think you require tutoring, please speak to your Department Chair/Director about your needs.

What is APA? – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Slide Show for APA – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/17/

Explanation and exercises on paraphrasing – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/619/

How to write a paraphrase – http://www.ehow.com/how_2330723_write-paraphrase.html, https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/563/02/

How to cite a paraphrase – http://www.ehow.com/how_5918854_cite-paraphrase-apa-format.html

Is it plagiarism? – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/02/,
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/useinformationcorrectly

How to find Gale – http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=SPJ.SP00&u=calg145

How to write a thesis statement – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/545/1/

How to write a strong thesis statement – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/01/

Evaluating resources – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/02/

Setting up the reference page – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/

How to write an abstract – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/706/01/

Purdue University Writing Lab – https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Basic APA formatting using Word – Click here

Basic APA formatting using Word on a Mac – Click here

APA Workshop Slide Show – Click here

Textbooks may be picked up at the Bookstore located in Bldg. 802-122. during regular Administration Office hours. For inquiries about textbooks email: bookstore@columbia.ab.ca.

Textbooks
Beginning August 1, 2015 books will be included in the student’s fees and all students will receive books from the College ready for each semester.

To learn more about the Career Services, click here.

Counselling Services
Our Career Advisors provide short-term counselling support and referrals to outside resources for those students who may need long-term counselling. We have Career Advisors who are especially trained in Life Coaching. Coaching can help you with general or specific situations, relationships, and challenges that require a course of action to make your life be what you want it to be. If you require any assistance in this area, please contact Career Services at careerservices@columbia.ab.ca or call 403-235-9300 for an appointment.

Accessibility Services
For information on our Accessibility Services, please click here.

For more information on Employment Services, see the Career Services page.

For more information on Graduate Student Services, see the Career Services page.

Learn how to be successful in College!

Both pre-career and professional program students have compulsory orientation sessions that answer many questions and prepare students to be successful in their programs. Orientation sessions are held approximately one or two weeks before classes start. Your Admission Advisor will give you the date of your session. All students receive information on the changes they will face as college students and tips on being successful in their chosen program. There are also program orientations where students meet with their Department Chair/Director/Coordinator. International Students will also have a special “Meet & Greet” session with the International Student Advisors.

If you are uncertain of what to do, please contact Career Services and we will provide you with support and guidance.

Street Survival Guide – calgarystreetguide.ca
This directory provides a wide range of information and services regarding such topics as housing, addictions, food, literacy, etc. You can also pick up a hardcopy of this resource from Bldg. 802-Administration.

InformAlberta – www.informalberta.ca
This directory provides community, health, social, and government services information across the province.

City of Calgary Community & Neighbourhood Services – www.calgary.ca/SPS/CNS/Pages/home.aspx
This directory includes social services and recreational opportunities.

Call: 2-1-1
Connects you to hundreds of agencies and organizations dedicated to help people in crisis.

Calgary Food Bank
Hamper Request Line 403-253-2055
5000 11th Street, SE
Calgaryfoodbank.com

Distress Centre – www.distresscentre.com
24 hour crisis line – 403-266-4357 (HELP)
There is free professional counselling. All counsellors are Registered Social Workers.
24 hour Suicide Prevention Line – 1-800-784-2433 (SUICIDE)
300-1010 Eight Avenue, SW

HEALTHLink
Dial 8-1-1 for 24 hr. health information and advice

Women’s Centre
403-255-5102
Safe place for women to talk to someone and get information on services.
646 First Ave. N.E.
Womenscentrecalgary.org

Wood’s Homes
403-270-4102
Woodshomes.ca
Community Resource Team (24 hr.) 403-299-9699; Toll free – 1-800-563-6106 – Crisis intervention and support within communities, homes and schools.

All students must have Student Identification Card. These are available from the Bookstore. Students generally come with their class to have Student IDs taken. If an individual student requires one and was unable to attend the group session, please see the Bookstore.